by Dan Bacher
A poll released by the
Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) on July 31 reveals that the
majority of Californian residents oppose expanded fracking in the Golden
State.
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing)
employs huge volumes of water, mixed with sand and toxic chemicals, to blast
open rock formations and extract oil and gas. The technique is environmentally
destructive, resulting in pollution to groundwater supplies and streams, as
documented in the documentary films Gasland 1 and 2, directed by Josh
Fox.
"As state legislators
debate stricter regulations on fracking—already under way in California—51
percent oppose increased use of the drilling method used to extract oil and
natural gas (35% favor it, 14% don’t know)," according to PPIC, a
nonpartisan research foundation. "Asked whether they favor or oppose
stricter regulation of fracking, 50 percent say they are in favor. Among those
who favor increased use of fracking, 62 percent also favor stricter
regulation." (http://www.ppic.org/main/pressrelease.asp?i=1378)
The controversial
technique, currently unregulated and unmonitored by California officials, has
been used in hundreds and perhaps thousands of oil and gas wells across the
state, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
The survey asked about
another hotly debated plan to increase the supply of oil: construction of the
Keystone XL pipeline to carry oil from Canada to Texas refineries. Half of
Californians (51%) favor building the pipeline, 34 percent oppose it, and 15
percent don’t know, according to PPIC.
"Californians are
conflicted when it comes to controversial efforts to expand the oil supply,”
said Mark Baldassare, PPIC president and CEO. "Slim majorities favor
building the Keystone XL pipeline but also oppose fracking, with many wanting
stricter regulation of the practice.”
The poll also revealed that the majority of Californians are
opposed to expanded offshore oil drilling, with 54 percent opposing and 41
percent favoring more oil drilling off California’s coast. Among those living
in coastal areas, 57 percent oppose more drilling, while those inland are
divided (49% favor, 47% oppose).
See more.
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